Chennai-based space tech startup Agnikul Cosmos on April 7 cancelled the launch of India's first semi-cryogenic engine rocket for the third consecutive time due to technical issues.
This follows a previous cancellation when, on April 6, Agnikul called off the launch for the second time in two weeks.
The launch of the "Agnibaan SOrTeD" (Suborbital Tech Demonstrator) was initially scheduled for March 22, but was cancelled a day earlier due to unspecified 'unavoidable circumstances'. The reason for the cancellation was not specified, but speculations point to weather disturbances.
On March 21, the startup, in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), said, "Agnikul is holding the launch out of an abundance of caution based on certain minor observations from the full countdown rehearsals last night. (We) will keep you all posted on the new date and time. Thanks a lot for all the support."
Professor V Kamakoti, director, IIT-Madras, told the Agnikul team that it is difficult to design a system that could provide a control mechanism to abort just 92 seconds before launch. "The final 100% success is just a few days away. Time to analyze the root cause and move forward," Kamakoti said.
Kamakoti further said the rocket is a product and that launching is a process that Agnikul is perfecting.
The rocket “Agnibaan SOrTeD” (Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator) comprises a single-piece 3D-printed engine, called Agnilet, which has been designed and built indigenously.
Agnibaan is also India's first semi-cryogenic engine-powered rocket. Semi-cryogenic engines offer several benefits over cryogenic engines, in terms of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, safety, operational flexibility and so on.
Also read: Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos to launch 7 times in 2024-25: IN-SPACe manifesto
Agnibaan's launch is a technology demonstrator and will help validate the startup's technologies for their commercial launches.
In the coming days, the startup is expected to foray into commercial missions in Q3 of FY 2024-2025, according to space regulator IN-SPACe’s manifesto. The startup is also expected to conduct launches in Q4 of FY 2024-2025.
In 2022, Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aersopace became the first Indian private player to launch for space. Like Agnikul’s current launch, Skyroot’s 2022 launch too was a tech demonstrator.
Vehicle features
The startup said that Agnibaan will be capable of carrying 30 to 300 kg of payload to low Earth orbits (LEO) up to 700 km. The vehicle has the capability for a plug-and-play engine configuration that is configurable to precisely match the mission's needs, the startup claimed.
The IIT Madras incubated startup, in October 2023, announced that it had raised $26.7 million in a Series B round.
Established in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM, and SR Chakravarthy - all of IIT Madras - the startup aims to democratise space exploration by making it both accessible and cost-effective.
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